ARGYLLSHIRE’S INDIAN CREW

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1930, Page 5

ARGYLLSHIRE’S INDIAN CREW

NATIVE RITES IN NEW PLYMOUTH. Strictest ceremonial rites have to be observed in connection with the 129 Indians who constitute the mam body of the crew of the Federal steamer Argyllshite, at present in port at New Plyn.cbth. The mijority of these men are Mahommcdans and it is articled that they must bo fed in conformity with treir religions regulations. Ail meat ex ept mutton is banned as unclean, and (vet. the sheep must Le kJ’ed by a native in the.Moaammedan wav While the vessel is i.i po at New Plymo'i’h an Indian, goes to the abattoirs, whs.e he slaughters the crew's gi(<p. Before doing so he offers tin a prayer and then plunges his knife into the animal’s throat. After the carease has been prepared the slaughterman places on it the blue signature of the faithful. For caste reasons no one may eat meat defiled by hands that have touched pork or bacon. If a ewe should be found with lamb when it has been killed there is also a ban on the flesh, the Indians regarding it to be defiled by a double. loss of lif e. ■ The staple diet of the crew for five days of the week at sea is curry, rice, dried fish and a flat pancake made of a fatty substance called ghe and flour. Mustard oil and tamarind are mived with the curry powder, the latter having the effect of making the curry very hot. Native burial customs, too, are observed. On the Argyllshire's voyage from Panama to Auckland a Mohammedan died. Amidst the prayers of his companions his body, weighted with bars, was placed on a plank and lowered gently to the water level, where it was released and sank gently into the ocean.